Put beans in medium pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and allow to simmer 20 minutes. Discard water.

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and brown if desired.

Put all ingredients in crock-pot.

Stir to mix thoroughly. Cover.

Cook on low 10-12 hours or high 5-6 hours. Serves 6-8

**

We had this last night, it was good, even better when I just now had it for lunch! It was a little spicy for the boys, but we loved it, so you might want to cut back a little on the cayanne and cumin for the kids and add more later. I also added a little bit of dried cilantro (didn't have any fresh). I used one bag of dry Northern beans (and cut back on the chicken) and put half in a ziplock bag in the freezer with all of the other ingredients except broth and water so all I have another quick meal to throw in the crockpot later.

Now that cool weather is here again, I made up a big batch of muffin mix. The kids love them for afterschool snack and it's cheap and easy to do. I usually triple it and put in a large tupperware and keep in the fridge, just make sure to shake it well to mix before using. (I also use whole wheat for 1/3 of the flour to make them a little healthier, 1/3 whole wheat seems to be as much as I can add and still have my picky daycare kids eat them! )

Thanks! LOL, now I feel stupid about the Napa cabbage! Can you tell cabbage is the one veggie I've never bought? They actually didn't have any cabbage or bagged slaw at all yesterday at the store, guess they were sold out from the 4th.

To toast the almonds and noodles, do you just put them on a cookie sheet in the oven for a few minutes on low?

Help! I want to make some of that Asian salad (cabbage, Ramen noodles) for dd's b-day party tomorrow. I've found several recipes off the web for it, but they are all different. If you've made it before, what did you use? Slaw mix or nappa cabbage? (And, what is Nappa cabbage? I didn't see any at the store.) Asian dressing in a bottle or make your own? Do you blanche or toast the almonds, and how exactly do you do either one?